Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty Four
*Enzo*
Rising anger was starting to get to me as I sat down in my usual seat. My grandfather was already in deep conversation with Cousin Johnny. I haven’t seen him in over a decade and with good reason too. Because of that dipshit seating just a few seats down from him. I stared coldly at him as he leers at Gabby like she was a piece of meat needing to be devoured.
I didn’t even know the two were acquainted with one another and it disturbs me that he’s been hanging around her during my absence here at Nonno’s after all these years. What I would give to smack that smirking look right off his face.
The two of us never did get along, not since we were little kids. I knew it was because I was the eldest Giordano of our generation and the attention, I never wanted, was always on me. It wasn’t my fault that I was born a month before him. And somehow, he always blamed me for being the favorite when all I did was come out first.
But that wouldn’t have stopped us from liking each other. We don’t get along for another different reason and it was all thanks to his mother’s side of the family. I honestly don’t know how Cousin Johnny could marry a woman like Benny’s mother. She was just as conceited and stuck up as her son was, if not more.
Thank goodness she wasn’t here with us. As I understand, she couldn’t stand being around a place like my Nonno’s because it was farmland and not the city like she had grown up in. And Benny’s attitude and stuck upness was just like hers and it always rubbed me the wrong way.
“I see you’re still treated like a child, Dom. What’s wrong, can’t seem to learn to grow up?”
Anger flashes inside of me even further. He never ceased to make fun of or torment our youngest cousin. Many times when Domenico was little I had to be there to protect him from Benny’s vicious tongue.
“You’re one to talk, Benny Weeny, as I heard it your dick is still the size of one.” Dom snaps back with a sarcastic smile causing me to nearly choke on my water that I decided to drink just then hoping to cool my anger.
Immediate giggles erupted from next to me as Gabby quickly tried to cover them up. Benny’s eyes flash with anger at the nickname he was given at fourteen years old. I had a crush on a local girl back then and once Benny found out he didn’t hesitate to grab her attention away from me and onto him. With the charms at work she was quick to do whatever he wanted. It was me and Domenico that went spying on the two when he took her to the back of my Nonno’s wine barrel storage. I had been livid and upset at them both at the time and wanted to catch them in the act until we both heard,
“Is that it? Eh, I’ve seen bigger.”
We both couldn’t help laughing at loud getting caught by the two of them, he was red in the face while she seemed like she didn’t care one way or the other. I’ll admit, I owe Benny for that one cause it turned out she was a little too well known by some of the high school guys already.
But ever since then Dom had given him the nickname Benny Weeny. What can I say, the kid was just eleven at the time. Of course he always risked a beating from him when he said it, but no matter how hard he would hit him it never stopped Dom from uttering the words.
Like now.
Thankfully the two old men weren’t paying us any mind as they continued to talk lowly in a serious discussion, about what I don’t know, but I’ll have to find that out later. Right now, I was more worried about the death glare that Benny was shooting at Dom, who was on the other side of Gabby.
He leans in closer of the table and hisses, “I guarantee my dick size is twice as big as yours, dimwit, at least it’s had way more action than you’ll ever dream to acquire in your lifetime. I bet your dick knows your hand better than it does pussy.”
“Benny, that’s enough.” I coldly say. “Watch your mouth when a lady is present, no one wants to hear you spout out crass talk at the table.”
His eyes flash to mine, before they turn to her. “My apologies if you’re a little too sensitive to the truth, Gabby. But I’ll be glad to show you just how little I really am.” He smirks.
Red hot rage fills me to the point that I reach over the table and grab him by his collar, pulling him towards me. I didn’t even realize that doing that caused plates, cups, and other dishes to clutter and fall all over the table. I distantly hear Gabby gasp as Dom curses while I was ready to plummet this asshole to near death.
I didn’t get to even lay my fist in his suddenly shocked and frightened face when Nonno’s voice booms across the room.
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” He slams his fist on the table loudly causing more of the dishes to clatter.
I stare into Benny’s eyes, my fist tightly clutching his shirt front, his hand wrapped around my wrist in a death grip.
“Enzo let go of him now!” Nonno growls deeply, anger lacing through his words.
I was breathing heavily, shaking a little from the rage that was still there inside me. Against my better judgement I release him reluctantly and sit back down, never taking my eyes off him. He was rumpled, but otherwise alright, damn it. He straightens his attire and readjusts his hair that fell out of place from my sudden attack on his person.
“I am appalled, Cousin Gio, that I am being treated in this fashion. I am a guest in this home and to be manhandled in front of Miss Gabby, is humiliating, and insulting.” He put on airs to make it seem I attacked him with no purpose.
“Shut it boy. I may be old, but I’m not deaf. You insulted my Gabby first by disrespectfully suggesting sexual assault. I may have done my share of talking dirty but never have I ever talked crudely to a woman.” Nonno reprimands him.
“Especially in the presence of your host and father.” Cousin Johnny spats afterwards, looking at his son with such disappointment and anger.
Benny looks away, clearing his throat, not looking at all like he cared. Figures. He never does and probably never will.
“And as for you two, don’t think you’re going to get off Scott free. I heard what you said Domenico. And for you Enzo, that is no way to act in front of company and at the dinner table. I raised you both better than that.”
The sound of disappointment in his voice made me feel small. I felt like I was five years old all over again getting scolded for acting out with a tantrum. Domenico physically shrank in his chair as if to hide himself from that disappointing stare our grandfather was throwing at us.
“Now if you’re finished, I suggest you take a nice long walk to cool off Enzo, your anger is still showing on your face, and I won’t have it.” He snaps.
Throwing my napkin on my mishappen plate, I stand up none to gently and stomp out of the room to do just that.